Air flow measuring device provided with a vent in air passage

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an air flow measuring device comprising a housing with a sub-passage having a inlet and a outlet for air flow formed in the housing, the sub-passage further having a predefined curvature with a maximum downstream point and a flow measuring element located in the sub-passage at a position at least further downstream from the point.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/730,716, filed on Apr. 3, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,377,161, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 11/451,468, filed on Jun. 13, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,535, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/858,476, filed on May 17, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,183, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to air flow measuring devices, and particularly, to air flow measuring devices for internal combustion engines.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Conventional air flow measuring devices for internal combustion devices are provided with a filter element for cleaning the incoming air. However, its cleaning effect is inadequate since the dust particles or moisture contained in the intake air, often passes through the filter element reaching the air intake passage, where the air flow measuring device is located. Also, certain after market air filter products are poorer in quality as compared to the original product which further exasperates the problem. If the dust particles contained in the intake air adheres to the flow measuring element of the air flow measuring device, the characteristic heat radiation which is utilized to accurately measure the air flow can deviate, outputting inaccurate results. Also, depending on the dust particle size and speed of the particle in the incoming air flow, the flow measuring element may even be damaged. Further, if moisture, such as water, adheres to the measuring element, the element may deteriorate with time due to sudden temperature changes or provide an inaccurate output due to changes in the heat radiation rate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a sub-passage that allows dust or moisture contained in the intake air, which may provide inaccurate readings by an air flow measuring element, due to contamination or break-down, to be separated by inertial force of the dust or moisture while ensuring a sufficient air flow in the area where the flow measuring element is installed.

In an object of the invention, an air flow measuring device comprising a housing with a sub-passage having a inlet and a outlet for air flow formed in the housing is provided. The sub-passage has a predefined curvature with a maximum downstream point. Also, a flow measuring element is located in the sub-passage at a position at least further downstream from the point.

In another object of the invention, a engine comprising a engine control unit and an air flow measuring device electrically coupled to the engine control unit for measuring air flow is provided. The air flow measuring device comprises a housing with a sub-passage having a inlet and a outlet for air flow is formed in the housing. The sub-passage has a predefined curvature with a maximum downstream point. Also, a flow measuring element located in the sub-passage at a position at least further downstream from said point.

In yet another object of the invention, an air flow measuring device comprising a housing and a sub-passage formed in the housing is provided. The sub-passage has a predefined curvature with a maximum downstream point and a flow measuring element located in the sub-passage at a position at least further downstream from the point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above advantages and features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description which is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a air flow measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sub-passage according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3-1 through 3-4 illustrates cross-sectional views of the sub-passages in the structures shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 illustrates the result of a CAE calculation utilizing the air flow measuring device of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates the result of another CAE calculation utilizing the air flow measuring device of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 illustrates a internal combustion engine of utilizing the air flow measuring device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below in connection with the drawings. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Although the invention is described in terms of an automobile component, namely, an automobile engine, the invention is applicable to other combustion engines utilizing an air flow measuring device. Like items are referred to by like reference numerals throughout the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an air flow measuring device of the present invention. The air flow measuring device is preferably a heating resistor type. In an air intake passage 1 of an automobile internal combustion engine, a module housing 2 for a heating resistor type air flow measuring device is installed through a module flange 5. A sub-passage 7 is formed at the end of the module housing 2 and a flow measuring element 3 is installed inside the sub-passage 7. The flow measuring element 3 is electrically connected with an electronic circuit 4 installed in the module housing 2 and the electronic circuit 4 is electrically connected with the outside through a connector 6. The sub-passage 7 contains a sub-passage inlet 9 whose opening face is perpendicular to the air flow into the air intake passage 1 and a sub-passage outlet 10 whose opening face is parallel to the air flow into the air intake passage 1. In other words, the direction of the air flow is inline with the inlet 9 and the air flow exits outlet 10 in a direction which is perpendicular to the entering air flow. Sub-passage 7 has a semi-circular bottom bend 8 with a predefined curved surface and the flow measuring element 3 is located on the downstream side of the bend of the sub-passage 7. Bottom bend 8 has a maximum downstream point 8 a (show in Fig) at or near the apex of the curvature. Hence, air flow enters inlet 9 and travels in a direction upstream 8 b (show in Fig) to the maximum downstream point 8 a and travels in a direction downstream 8 c (show in Fig) toward outlet 10. Hence, dust particles or other foreign matter which has entered sub-passage 7 travels along the outer wall surface 71 (as shown in FIG. 3) at the sub-passage bottom bend 8 by inertial force based on the velocity and weight of the dust particle or foreign matter. Thus, the dust particles or other foreign matter does not interfere with the flow measuring element 3 located around the maximum downstream point 8 a of the sub-passage bottom bend 8 and is discharged to the air intake passage 1 through the sub-passage outlet 10.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sub-passage structure in another embodiment of the present invention. Sub-passage 7 has a predefined curvature which continues to curve to outlet 10 beyond the flow measuring element 3. In other words, the flow measuring element 3 is located in a direction downstream 8 c from the maximum downstream point 8 a as described in FIG. 1. The opening face of the sub-passage inlet 9 is perpendicular to the air flow into the air intake passage 1 and the sub-passage outlet 10 has its opening face in a plane parallel to the direction of the air flow. Hence, dust particles or other foreign matter which has entered the sub-passage 7 goes along the outer wall 71 (as shown in FIG. 3) of the sub-passage 7 by inertial force based on its own velocity and weight. In this way, it does not collide against the flow measuring element 3 located in a direction downstream 8 c from the maximum downstream point 8 a of the sub-passage and is discharged into the air intake passage 1 through the sub-passage outlet 10. In this embodiment, the sub-passage 7 is continuously curved to the outlet 10 so that vortex formation which may occur on the downstream side of the inner wall area of the sub-passage bend can be effectively suppressed, allowing the heating resistor type air flow measuring element 3 to provide a stable output with less noise. Also, in this structure, the position of the sub-passage outlet 10 can be altered without changing the size of the entire sub-passage, which means that the relative distance between the sub-passage inlet 9 and the sub-passage outlet 10 can be changed. The relative distance between the sub-passage inlet 9 and outlet 10 is an important factor that determines the effect of inertia given throughout the sub-passage 7. By changing the distance freely, the effect of the air flow in the air flow measuring device can be more easily controlled.

FIGS. 3-1 through 3-4 illustrate cross-sectional views of the sub-passage 7 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in particular, cross-section “A-A” of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3-1, foreign matter that has entered the sub-passage 7 collides against the outer wall surface 71 of the sub-passage 7. In this example, the outer wall surface 71 is completely flat and the foreign matter which has collided against the wall surface 71 may rebound toward the center of the sub-passage 7 again. In other words, outer wall 71 does not provide a means for guiding and gathering the dust particles or foreign matter. Rather, foreign matter repeatedly rebounds and collides against outer wall 71 while gradually moving along the outer wall surface 71 of the sub-passage 7 to outlet 10. In contrast, the outer wall surface 71 of FIGS. 3-2 through 3-4 are grooved to effectively gather and guide foreign matter to outlet 10. FIG. 3-2 shows an example in which the outer wall surface 71 of the sub-passage is grooved to be semicircular. FIG. 3-3 shows an example in which one side of a junction between the sub-passage outer wall surface 71 and the sub-passage side wall surfaces 72 is grooved. FIG. 3-4 shows an example where both sides of the junction between the sub-passage outer wall surface 71 and the sub-passage side wall surfaces 72 are grooved. In all these structures, based on the angle of the walls 71, 72, dust or other foreign matter that has collided against the sub-passage outer wall surfaces 71, 72 rebounds toward the groove of the sub-passage 7, which permits the foreign matter to be more effectively gathered and guided toward the sub-passage outlet 10. Also, the groove allows dust particles or other foreign matter collected in the outer wall surface 71 to be effectively discharged through the air vent 11 into the air intake passage 1 without interfering with the flow measuring element 3 which is located, at least above the groove, which reduces the deterioration, break-down or other damage to the flow measuring element 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure as shown in FIG. 2. Here, an air vent 11 with an opening surface area of less than about fifty percent of the opening surface area of the sub-passage outlet 10 is provided on the sub-passage side wall surface 72, downstream 8 c from the flow measuring element 3. By regulating the opening of the air vent 11, the inertial effect of the sub-passage 7 can be effectively controlled. Another advantage of this structure is air vent 11 allows any water trapped in sub-passage 7 to be effectively forced out of it, even if the air in it is still.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the sub-passage structures as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In both structures, an air vent 11 with a height “a”, of about 1 mm is provided in a direction upstream 8 b from the flow measuring element 3 in sub-passage 7. In these structures, when the ratio of the opening surface area of the air vent 11 to that of the sectional surface area (at its widest point) of subpassage 7 is less than 1:10, it is possible to effectively discharge foreign matter as mentioned above, without impairing the performance of the sub-passage 7. Further, an air vent 11 of this embodiment is effective in eliminating moisture which may collect inside the sub-passage 7.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure as shown in FIG. 1. The sub-passage 7 has a sub-passage inlet 9 with an opening face which is perpendicular to the air flow in the air intake passage 1 and a sub-passage outlet 10 with an opening face parallel to the air flow in the air intake passage 1. Sub-passage 7 has a semi-circular bottom bend 8 with a predefined curved surface and the flow measuring element 3 is located on the downstream side of the bend of the sub-passage 7. Bottom bend 8 has a maximum downstream point 8 a (show in Fig) at or near the apex of the curvature. Hence, air flow enters inlet 9 and travels in a direction upstream 8 b (show in Fig) to the maximum downstream point 8 a and travels in a direction downstream 8 c (show in Fig) toward outlet 10. Hence, since dust particles or other foreign matter which has entered the sub-passage 7 travels along the outer wall surface 71 (as shown in FIG. 3) at the sub-passage bottom bend 8 by inertial force based on the velocity and weight of the dust particle or foreign matter, it does not interfere with the flow measuring element 3 located downstream from the maximum downstream point 8 a of the sub-passage bottom bend 8 and is discharged to the air intake passage 1 through the sub-passage outlet 10.

In sub-passage 7, at a location at least upstream from the maximum downstream point 8 a, there is a first vertical path bottom inclination 12 with a given angle from the plane of air flow from the sub-passage inlet 9. Preferably, an air vent 11 is provided at the base of the inclination 12. In this embodiment, dust particles or other foreign matter which has entered the sub-passage 7 will tend to go straight down the first vertical path 73 by its own weight and velocity toward the first vertical path bottom inclination 12. Also, the dust particles or other foreign matter exits sub-passage 7 by air vent 11. Therefore, air flow, free of debris or moisture can flow in the first horizontal path 75, then downstream towards the second vertical path 74 and exits at outlet 10.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a modified version of the sub-passage structure as shown in FIG. 1. Here, a second vertical path bottom inclination 12 a (show in Fig) is provided opposite to that of the first inclination 12. The second inclination 12 a is also provided upstream from the maximum downstream point 8 a. This design is suited to sub-passages which has a first vertical path 73, smaller than the one described in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show other embodiments, as modified versions of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Note, in both these embodiments, the air flow measuring element 3 is also provided downstream from the maximum downstream point 8 a (show in Fig.). Also, in the embodiment as described in FIG. 10, a second horizontal path 76 is shown. These embodiments produce substantially the same effect on dust particles and other foreign matter entering the sub-passage 7 as the one described in FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 illustrates the result of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) calculation which was carried out utilizing the air flow measuring device of the present invention. Here, the solid lines represent passage wall surfaces and the dotted lines represent tracks of dust particles or foreign matter in the air. The figure demonstrates that dust coming in through the sub-passage inlet 9 collides against the outer wall surface 71 of the sub-passage 7 and rebounds from it repeatedly, while gradually moving along the outer wall surface 71. In other words, dust particles or foreign matter is concentrated and guided near the outer wall surface 71 and exits outlet 10 with little influence on the measuring element 3.

FIG. 12 illustrates the result of another CAE of another embodiment of the present invention. Here, the solid lines represent passage wall surfaces and the dotted lines represent tracks of dust in the air. Dust coming in through the sub-passage inlet 9 goes straight and collides against the first vertical path bottom inclination 12. Then the dust rebounds toward the air vent 11 due to the inclination angle and is forced out of the sub-passage 7. In other words, dust particles or foreign matter is concentrated and guided near the outer wall surface 71 and exits air vent 11 with little influence on the measuring element 3 while the air flow exits outlet 10.

Hence, the present invention provides an air flow measuring device comprising a housing with a sub-passage having a inlet and a outlet for air flow formed in the housing. The sub-passage has a predefined curvature with a maximum downstream point. Also, a flow measuring element is located in the sub-passage at a position at least further downstream from the point.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of an internal combustion engine 507 utilizing the air flow measuring device as described in FIGS. 1-12 of the present invention. Although a specific engine type is described, the present invention can be utilized in any internal combustion engine. Air introduced into a combustion chamber 507 c of the engine 507 is a combination of an air intake and EGR gas, wherein the air intake is let in by way of an inlet part 502 a of an air cleaner 502 and passes through an air flow measuring device 503 of the present invention, which is one of the means for measuring the operating state of the engine 507. The air further passes through a throttle body 505 in which an electrically controlled throttle valve 505 a for controlling the air intake flow quantity is housed. The electrically controlled throttle valve 505 a is driven by an electrically controlled throttle motor 526. Next, the air enters a collector 506. From the air flow sensor 503, a signal representing the air intake flow quantity is outputted to a control unit 515, for example, a engine control unit.

A throttle sensor 504, which detects the aperture of the electrically controlled throttle valve for measuring the operating state of the engine, is fitted to the throttle body 505 and its signal is also outputted to the control unit 515. Between an air intake pipe 501 and an exhaust pipe 519, a bypass pipe 525 is provided to constitute bypass piping for recirculating exhaust gas and bypass pipe 525 is provided with an electrically controlled type EGR valve 524, for controlling the recirculating flow quantity of exhaust gas. The air suctioned into the collector 506, after being distributed to air intake pipes 501, each connected to one or another of cylinders 507 b of the engine 507, joins EGR gas and is guided to a combustion chamber 507 c in each cylinder 507 b.

Fuel, such as gasoline, from a fuel tank 514 undergoes primary pressurization by a fuel pump 510, then undergoes secondary pressurization by another fuel pump 511 to a higher pressure while being regulated by a fuel pressure regulator 512 to a constant pressure. The fuel is subjected to another constant pressure by another fuel pressure regulator 513 and injected from injectors 509, one of which is provided for in each cylinder, into combustion chambers 507 c. Fuel injected into combustion chambers 507 c is raised in voltage by ignition coils 522 and ignited by ignition plugs 508 in response to an ignition signal.

Additionally, a crank angle sensor fitted to a crankshaft 507 d of the engine 507 outputs an angle signal POS for detecting a revolution signal, indicating the rotational position of the crankshaft 507 d, to the control unit 515. A catalytic converter 520 is provided midway on each exhaust pipe 519 and an A/F sensor 518 provided upstream from the catalytic converter 520 detects the contents of exhausted gas, the resultant detection signal being outputted to the control unit 515.

Although the invention has been described above in connection with exemplary embodiments, it is apparent that many modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An air flow measuring device for measuring air flow flowing through an air intake passage of an internal combustion engine by detecting air flow flowing through a sub-passage disposed in the air intake passage, the air flow flowing through the sub-passage being a part of the air flow flowing through the air intake passage, said air flow measuring device comprising: a flow measuring element to measure air flow; an electrical circuit electrically connected to the flow measuring element; a housing containing the electrical circuit, wherein the sub-passage is formed therein and the flow measuring element is disposed in the sub-passage, and a flange connected to the housing at one end portion of the housing and disposed on an outside of a wall forming the air intake passage, wherein the housing is installed on the wall through the flange so that another end portion of the housing is projected into the air intake passage, and the sub-passage, the electrical circuit and the flange are arranged in the housing by order of the sub-passage, the electrical circuit and the flange in a direction from the another end portion of the housing to the one end portion of the housing, wherein the sub-passage includes: an inlet portion; an outlet portion; a first path whose one end communicates with the inlet portion and another end communicates with a vent; and a second path which branches off from the first path and communicates with the outlet portion, wherein the second path branches off from the first path toward the one end portion of the housing so that an intermediate area of the second path goes away from the inlet portion and gets close to the electrical circuit in the housing, and wherein the flow measuring element is disposed at the intermediate area in the second path.
 2. The air flow measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the first path is formed along a direction of air flow passing through the air intake passage.
 3. The air flow measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the second path includes a first transverse path branching off from the first path toward the one end portion of the housing and a longitudinal path communicating with the first transverse path at a portion downstream from the first transverse path.
 4. The air flow measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal path is arranged in a direction from upstream to downstream of the air flow flowing through the air intake passage.
 5. The air flow measuring device according to claim 4, wherein the second path further includes a second transverse path which communicate with the longitudinal path at a portion downstream of the longitudinal path and is extended toward the another end portion of the housing.
 6. The air flow measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising an inclination arranged upstream of the vent in the first path, wherein the second path branches off from the first path at a portion upstream of the inclination.
 7. The air flow measuring device according to claim 1, wherein at the second pat downstream of branched portion from the first path, the second path turns in a direction from upstream to downstream of an in air flow passing through the air intake passage, and wherein the flow measuring element is disposed downstream of a portion where the second path turns.
 8. An air flow measuring device for measuring air flow flowing through an air intake passage of an internal combustion engine by detecting air flow flowing through a sub-passage disposed in the air intake passage, the air flow flowing through the sub-passage being a part of the air flow flowing through the air intake passage, said air flow measuring device comprising: a flow measuring element to measure air flow; an electrical circuit electrically connected to the flow measuring element; a housing containing the electrical circuit, wherein the sub-passage is formed therein and the flow measuring element is disposed in the sub-passage, and a flange connected to the housing at one end portion of the housing and disposed on an outside of a wall forming the air intake passage, wherein the housing is installed on the wall through the flange so that another end portion of the housing is projected into the air intake passage, and the sub-passage, the electrical circuit and the flange are arranged in the housing by order of the sub-passage, the electrical circuit and the flange in a direction from the another end portion of the housing to the one end portion of the housing, wherein the sub-passage includes: an inlet portion; an outlet portion; a first path whose one end communicates with the inlet portion and another end communicates with a vent; and a second pat which branches off from the first path and communicates with tie outlet portion, wherein the second path branches off from the first path toward the one end portion of the housing, at the second pat downstream of branched portion from the first path, the second path turns in a direction from upstream to downstream of an air flow passing through the air intake passage so that an intermediate area of the second path goes away from the inlet portion and gets close to the electrical circuit in the housing, and wherein the flow measuring element is disposed at the intermediate area of the second path downstream of a portion where the second path turns.
 9. An air flow measuring device for measuring air flow flowing through an air intake passage in an air intake pipe of an internal combustion engine by detecting air flow flowing through a sub-passage disposed in the air intake passage, the air flow flowing through the sub-passage being a part of the air flow flowing through the air intake passage, said air flow measuring device comprising: a flow measuring element to measure air flow; an electrical circuit electrically connected to the flow measuring element; a housing containing the electrical circuit, wherein the sub-passage is formed therein and the flow measuring element is disposed in the sub-passage, and a flange connected to the housing at one end portion of the housing and disposed on an outside of the air intake pipe, wherein the housing is installed on the air intake pipe through the flange so that another end portion of the housing is projected into the air intake passage, and the sub-passage, the electrical circuit and the flange are arranged in the housing by order of the sub-passage, the electrical circuit and the flange in a direction from the another end portion of the housing to the one end portion of the housing, wherein the sub-passage includes: an inlet portion; an outlet portion; a first path whose one end communicates with the inlet portion and another end communicates with a vent; and a second path which branches off from the first path and communicates with the outlet portion, wherein the second path branches off from the first path toward the one end portion of the housing so that an intermediate area of the second path goes away from the inlet portion and gets close to the electrical circuit in the housing, and wherein the flow measuring element is disposed at the intermediate area in the second path. 